Exploring the Future of Enterprise AI: Inside HCLTech’s AI and Cloud Native Lab with SAP

In December 2024, HCLTech inaugurated its combined AI and Cloud Native Lab with SAP, a state-of-the-art facility that reflects HCLTech’s commitment to driving innovation and helping enterprises future-proof their operations in an era of rapid technological change. Nearly one year later, at the end of November 2025, PAC had the opportunity to visit this impressive hub.

A Hub for Inspiration, Ideation, and Innovation

Guided by the motto Inspire, Ideate, Innovate, the Munich lab serves as a catalyst for organizations seeking to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence. Its mission is clear: enable customers to explore, experiment with, and implement AI-driven solutions that redefine business processes and unlock new growth opportunities.

Strategic Partnerships and Location Advantage

The lab’s success is underpinned by strategic collaborations. HCLTech works closely with the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and SAP Labs Munich—key partners that influenced the decision to establish this facility in the city. These alliances foster a dynamic ecosystem of co-innovation, research, and talent development.

The Munich lab is part of HCLTech’s global network of six labs and is uniquely positioned as the first one dedicated to both AI and SAP. This global integration ensures the seamless sharing of best practices, insights, and technological advancements across continents.

Achievements and Workforce Expertise

HCLTech’s investment in AI is evident in its results. The global HCLTech Labs network has supported around 500 companies to date and has delivered more than 750 GenAI projects across diverse use cases. Generating over $100 million annually in Advanced AI services, HCLTech continues to strengthen its role as a leading innovation partner in the global AI ecosystem.

Talent development is a cornerstone of this strategy: 75% of HCLTech’s workforce has completed foundational AI training, and 25% are actively engaged in customer AI projects, guiding clients on their journey into the AI era.

Proprietary AI Solutions and Industry Partnerships

HCLTech has built a strong portfolio of proprietary AI solutions, including:

• AI Force, a flagship service transformation platform designed to transform application-related operational processes.
• AI Factory, a comprehensive AI stack that enables organizations, including those in public administration, to integrate AI while maintaining sovereignty and control.

These solutions are complemented by strategic partnerships with leading AI players, such as NVIDIA, AWS, and OpenAI, ensuring HCLTech remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

A Unique SAP Focus

What sets the Munich lab apart is its SAP-centric approach. As part of a close co-innovation partnership with SAP, the lab focuses on infusing customers’ SAP environments with advanced business and agentic AI capabilities. It represents a key pillar of the 360-degree relationship between HCLTech and SAP, where each organization is both a customer and a partner.

HCLTech’s SAP credentials speak for themselves: over 13,500 SAP experts worldwide, more than 650 SAP customers across 52 countries, and a 30-year partnership with SAP that includes Gold Partner status and the prestigious Validated RISE with SAP Partner designation.

PAC’s take

HCLTech’s AI and Cloud Native Lab with SAP is more than a research facility—it is a center of innovation, collaboration, and technological ideation. By combining HCLTech’s AI expertise with SAP’s business solutions, the lab is shaping the future of enterprise AI and helping organizations thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

HCLTech’s integrated AI and SAP lab provides customers with strong opportunities to explore how business AI can enhance their processes. The company has the experience and capacity to support customers throughout implementation. Its delivery model is currently geared toward large enterprises that can leverage global capabilities. From PAC’s perspective, to serve the European and German SME sector more effectively, HCLTech should strengthen its local delivery capabilities, ensuring native-language support and a nuanced understanding of vertical-specific requirements and local conditions.